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Julia Robinson Math Festival

Julia Robinson Math Festivals (JRMF), held at many locations across the country, are designed to inspire lifelong curiosity for mathematics by instilling a genuine interest in creative problem-solving from an early age.

These festivals, which focus on providing a collaborative, non-competitive atmosphere to explore the joy and power of mathematics, allow young people to develop their talent for mathematics by providing problems, puzzles, and activities that are intriguing and accessible.

To date, Rocky Mountain Math Circle Program has co-hosted four JRMFs: two at the University of Colorado Denver Campus and two at Franktown Elementary.

"I really enjoyed the activities. My favorite one was called "It's Fun." We were able to build all these different things with various shapes. It was a great way express our creativity. -Alexander, 7th Grade

Julia Robinson Mathematics Festivals inspire students to explore the richness and beauty of mathematics through activities that encourage collaborative, creative problem-solving.

Recreational math enthusiast Nancy Blachman, founder of Google Guide and author of several books on the popular algebra system Mathematica, founded the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival because "I wanted to inspire students as I had been inspired, with engaging, thought-provoking problems that I found much more interesting, challenging, and fun than the problems I was assigned in school."

The festival is named after the late Julia Robinson, a mathematics professor at the University of California who's best known for her solution of Hilbert's Tenth Problem.

More popular every year since its first event at Google in 2007, the JRMF succeeds because of dedicated mentors, volunteers, and community support. In particular, we're grateful to founding host the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute (MSRI). Starting in 2013, we are partnering with AIM, the American Institute of Mathematics, who provide us with resources and support as we seek to bring the Festival to more kids.